AFGHAN INTERNET - 2001-08-26

A pro-Taleban Website has been vandalized just hours after Afghanistan's hardline Taleban authorities banned Internet usage, calling it un-Islamic.

The site at www-Taleban-dot-com was found defaced with obscenities against the Taleban and Osama bin Laden, the alleged terrorist mastermind believed sheltered in Afghanistan.

Later Sunday, the site appeared to be out of order, as was another Web address usually identified as the Taleban official homepage.

On Saturday, Taleban authorities banned domestic and foreign organizations from using the Internet, even to send e-mails, saying it is un-Islamic.

A decree from Taleban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar broadcast on national radio said the only Internet connection in Afghanistan would be in the southern city of Kandahar, where most of the senior Taleban leaders are based.

Other Afghans were barred from using the Internet in July. Very few people in Afghanistan have the ability to use the Internet since only about eight people in every one-thousand have access to phone lines.

Afghans are also barred from watching television, listening to music and dancing.